03 marraskuuta 2019

Kekri Feast at Viapori




Kekri is a traditional Finnish harvest festival, in many aspects similar to Halloween. In the past, each family invited also their dead to their Kekri dinner table. There has been an abundance of eating and drinking at the party. This was done in the old days to ensure that the following harvest year was plentiful.

Various kinds of magic, spells, beliefs and myths have also been an important part of old Kekri traditions, as well as bonfires. The young people dressed as spirits & dead, Kekri goats and goatesses. They went from house to house asking for food and goodies - similar to Halloween’s trick or treat. 




Many Finns consider Halloween too commercial, that is why once forgotten Kekri feast is becoming popular again - for instance Suomenlinna / Viapori fortress celebrated their Kekri festival for the 5th time. The highlight of Kekri feast at Viapori was the burning of Kekripukki = Kekri Goat. People could put all their sorrows and troubles inside the goat and then they disappeared by burning.






We have said goodbye to the light and welcomed the darkness. 
But everything is fine because by burning Kekripukki all our sorrows & troubles
disappeared as smoke in the air.


Fortress of Suomenlinna - Viapori is a Unesco world heritage site. The Swedish crown commenced the construction of the fortress in 1748 as protection against Russian expansionism (Finland was then part of Sweden). Photo: Wikipedia

Fire show Spell / Lumous - Viapori 2018



 This is an enchanted journey to ancient Finnish forest. 
Just look carefully, and you will see the flickering flame among the mystical creatures 
who dance around it, whispering their spells from the mist. Open your senses and allow yourself 
to be charmed by the beautiful and exciting element of fire!

*****
#all seasons   #der natur donnerstag   #digitalart dienstag   #foto-tunes   #gartenglück   #image-in-ing
 #makrotex   #mosaic monday   #my corner of the world   #saturday’s critters   
# t in die neue woche   #the weekend roundup   #uudet värikollaasit   #wandering camera   
#willy-nilly   #watw

17 kommenttia:

  1. Hallo Riitta,
    das Fest - besser gesagt Ritual, des Verbrennens der Kekri-Ziege finde ich wunderbar.
    Die Möglichkeit seine Sorgen und Ängste in den Bauch der Ziege zu geben und dann zuschauen zu können, wie das Tier verbrennt - und damit meine Probleme - ist absolut positiv.
    Die Rückkehr zu den alten Bräuchen funktioniert, je größer die Welt - global - wird.

    Liebe Grüße und eine schöne Zeit
    Elisabetta


    VastaaPoista
  2. Dear riitta,
    how exciting and interesting. It's great that this custom continues to be lived and celebrated. Your pictures convey very well how much custom is inherent in this "magic ritual".
    Have a nice Sunday and love greetings
    moni

    VastaaPoista
  3. I think your festival is indeed spooky and that figure with antlers on the face is frightening. I like it!

    VastaaPoista
  4. Hello Riitta,
    We have a few festivals like this in Italy too. Regional traditions enriched with culinary specialities.
    Interesting to read about Kekri. Have a nice week ahead!

    VastaaPoista
  5. Uiii...pretty scary. At least I thought it when I saw the first picture. I didn't know the celebration yet and find it very interesting how it’s celebrated. Great that the tradition becomes popular again and just as great that you introduce it to us. Great pics, thank you for sharing.

    Greetings

    N☼va

    VastaaPoista
  6. Well done with the getup. Spooky!

    VastaaPoista
  7. Great photos! I like such a kind of celebration, it looks more as Samhain as the "American" Halloween, what they celebrate in Germany more and more in the last years. For me it is a holy spiritual day...
    Habe a good new week

    VastaaPoista
  8. Me encantan las tradiciones de cada país. Besitos.

    VastaaPoista
  9. ...Riitta, your celebration of this season sure is different from our commercial Halloween. I would like to enjoy it first hand, but until then I will have to enjoy your wonderful images. Thanks for sharing.

    VastaaPoista
  10. Thank you for giving such vivid views and stories from places I've never been.
    How interesting it seems - people returning to older ways.

    Golly . . another dimension has been added to my thinking.

    VastaaPoista
  11. Riitta - the Kekri traditions are new to me - thanks for sharing with everyone at Mosaic Monday. The young folks did a masterful job with their make-up! Enjoy your week ahead.

    VastaaPoista
  12. Hi Riittaa,
    looks like a great and wonderful festival! I like those pictures!
    Thank you for sharing!
    Wishing you a lovely day,
    Love and hugs, Claudia xo

    VastaaPoista
  13. This is so interesting, I had never heard of it. It reminds me of the Mexican Day of the Dead.

    VastaaPoista
  14. How interesting! Love reading the info and seeing photos! Enjoy your week sweet friend!

    VastaaPoista
  15. I always love reading about how different cultures celebrate "Halloween". Thanks so much for sharing about Kekri with us.

    -Soma

    VastaaPoista
  16. Fire is certainly intriguing, especially in your video! What an interesting time of year :)

    Your post on 'My Corner of the World' is great to see this week!

    My Corner of the World

    VastaaPoista
  17. Opin jotain uutta, kiitos sinun!

    VastaaPoista

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